Electrical junction box

Abstract

To provide an electrical connection box that can suppress vibrations of electronic components and prevent loosening of the connection to the object. [Solution] An electrical junction box 100 comprising a housing 50 and a relay 400 provided on one wall adjacent to the side wall 22 of the housing 50, separated from the side wall 22, wherein a reinforced section 26 is provided from the center of the side wall 22 to the vicinity of the relay 400.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrical connection box.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electrical connection box equipped with electronic components such as fuses and relays has been mounted on a vehicle.

[0003] The electrical connection box includes a housing. For example, the housing includes a first case with one side open and provided with the electronic components, and a second case covering the open side of the first case (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The above electrical connection box is attached to an object such as a vehicle. Specifically, the electrical connection box is fixed to the object by screwing or the like.

[0006] However, since the vehicle vibrates during running, the electrical connection box attached to such a vehicle also vibrates along with the vibration of the vehicle. At this time, the vibration of such an electrical connection box causes the screw fastening between the electrical connection box and the vehicle to loosen.

[0007] Furthermore, heavy electronic components such as relays provided in the electrical connection box vibrate together with the vibration of the electrical connection box, affecting the vibration of the electrical connection box. That is, the vibration of heavy electronic components such as relays increases the vibration amount of the electrical connection box, and there is a problem that the screw fastening between the electrical connection box and the vehicle becomes even looser.

[0008] However, the electrical junction box described in Patent Document 1 does not take these problems into consideration and therefore cannot solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0009] This disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an electrical connection box that can suppress vibrations of electronic components and prevent loosening of the fixing to the object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An electrical junction box according to the embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a housing and an electronic component provided on one wall adjacent to the side wall of the housing, separated from the side wall, wherein a reinforced portion is provided from the central part of the side wall to the vicinity of the electronic component. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an electrical connection box that can suppress vibrations of electronic components and prevent loosening of the fixing to the object. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] These are a plan view and a side view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an exploded view of an electrical junction box according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a bottom perspective view of the electrical junction box according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an exploded view of the electrical junction box according to the embodiment, in an inverted state. [Figure 6] Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] [Description of Embodiments of the Invention] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. Also, at least some of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0014] (1) The electrical connection box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an electrical connection box including a housing and an electronic component provided on a wall adjacent to the side wall at a distance from the side wall of the housing, wherein a strength reinforcement portion is provided from the central portion of the side wall to the vicinity of the electronic component.

[0015] In this embodiment, a strength reinforcement portion is provided from the central portion of the side wall to the vicinity of the electronic component. Therefore, since the portion between the side wall and the electronic component is strengthened by the strength reinforcement portion, vibration of the electronic component can be suppressed and loosening of the fixation to the object can be prevented.

[0016] (2) The electrical connection box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the housing includes a first case having the side wall and the one wall, the strength reinforcement portion is provided on the first case, and includes an inner wall provided inside the side wall and convexly curved toward the electronic component side, and a rib provided between the inner wall and the side wall.

[0017] In this embodiment, the strength reinforcement portion includes an inner wall convexly curved from the inside of the side wall toward the electronic component side and a rib provided between the inner wall and the side wall. Therefore, the portion between the side wall and the electronic component is strengthened, vibration of the electronic component can be suppressed, and loosening of the fixation to the object can be prevented.

[0018] (3) The electrical connection box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the housing includes a second case that closes an opening portion of the first case formed to face the one wall, and a side wall of the second case has a curved portion corresponding to the inner wall.

[0019] In this embodiment, the side wall of the second case has a curved portion corresponding to the inner wall, and the curved portion contacts and reinforces the inner wall. Therefore, the portion between the side wall and the electronic component is further strengthened, vibration of the electronic component can be suppressed, and loosening of the fixation to the object can be prevented.

[0020] (4) The electrical connection box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the strength reinforcement part has an attachment part used for attachment to an object.

[0021] In this embodiment, the attachment part is provided on the strength reinforcement part, and when the electrical connection box is attached to an object, the attachment part is fixed to such an object. Thereby, since the strength reinforcement part is fixed to the object, vibration of the electronic component can be suppressed and loosening of the fixation with the object can be prevented.

[0022] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Invention] The electrical connection box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, and is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connection box 100 according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view and a side view of the electrical connection box 100 according to an embodiment, FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the electrical connection box 100 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the electrical connection box 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is a plan view of the electrical connection box 100, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the electrical connection box 100.

[0024] The electrical connection box 100 is attached to the outside of an object such as a battery pack 200 (see FIG. 2) of an EV (Electric Vehicle), for example. In FIG. 2B, for convenience of explanation, a state where the electrical connection box 100 is attached to the battery pack 200 is shown.

[0025] The electrical junction box 100 includes a housing 50 that houses, for example, a fuse, a circuit board, etc. The housing 50 is a flat housing, approximately rectangular in plan view, with one corner of one end in the longitudinal direction cut out in a stepped shape. The housing 50 is made of, for example, resin and consists of a lower case 30 (second case) that is attached to the object and an upper case 20 (first case) that covers the lower case 30. For the sake of explanation, the upper case 20 side will be referred to as the top and the lower case 30 side as the bottom.

[0026] The lower case 30 has the shape of a box with one side facing the upper case 20 open, forming an opening 36. The upper case 20 also has the shape of a box with one side facing the lower case 30 open, forming an opening 27 (see Figure 5). The upper case 20 is slightly larger than the lower case 30 in both its length and width (perpendicular to its length), and covers the opening 36 of the lower case 30. In other words, the opening 27 of the upper case 20 is closed by the lower case 30.

[0027] The lower case 30 has a bottom wall 31 whose outer surface is in contact with the object, and a side wall 33 that extends perpendicularly from the edge of the bottom wall 31 toward the upper case 20. Multiple ribs are formed on the inside of the lower case 30 (see Figure 3).

[0028] The bottom wall 31 of the lower case 30 has recesses 32b formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction and a recess 32a formed in the middle. The recesses 32a and 32b are formed at positions corresponding to the fastening portion 23 of the upper case 20, which will be described later.

[0029] More specifically, recesses 32b are formed at both corners of both ends of the lower case 30. Each recess 32b is roughly rectangular in plan view, and the side wall 33 is bent at approximately a right angle at each recess 32b, with the recessed corners being chamfered (see Figure 3).

[0030] Furthermore, a recess 32a is formed in the middle of the long side of the lower case 30. The recess 32a is approximately rectangular in plan view. The side wall 33 is recessed inward of the lower case 30 at the recess 32a, and the recessed corners are chamfered (see Figure 3).

[0031] In the side wall 33 of the lower case 30, the portion corresponding to the reinforced section 26 of the upper case 20, which will be described in detail later, is recessed inward into the lower case 30. More specifically, in the side wall 33 of the lower case 30, a curved portion 331 is formed in the portion corresponding to the inner wall 261 of the reinforced section 26, conforming to the shape of the inner wall 261 (see Figure 4). After the assembly of the upper case 20 and the lower case 30 is completed, the curved portion 331 comes into contact with the inner wall 261 from the inside.

[0032] Furthermore, a through-cylinder 34 is formed approximately in the center of the bottom wall 31, into which the fastening portion 23 of the upper case 20 is inserted. The through-cylinder 34 is cylindrical in shape and penetrates the bottom wall 31 in the thickness direction. That is, the axis of the through-cylinder 34 extends in the thickness direction of the bottom wall 31, with one side protruding perpendicularly from the inner surface 312 of the bottom wall 31 and the other side protruding perpendicularly from the outer surface 313 of the bottom wall 31. The fastening portion 23 is fitted inside the through-cylinder 34 and protrudes from the lower end of the through-cylinder 34. In addition, ribs 311 are erected on the outer surface 313 of the bottom wall 31, for example, in a grid shape.

[0033] Incidentally, the upper case 20 has a ceiling wall 21 (one wall) that faces the bottom wall 31 of the lower case 30, and side walls 22 that are provided around the edge of the ceiling wall 21 and are erected in the vertical direction.

[0034] Multiple connection points 212 for connecting to other devices are provided at various locations on the outer surface 211 of the ceiling wall 21. In addition, multiple mounting seats 213 for relays 400 are provided approximately in the center of the outer surface 211 of the ceiling wall 21. Relays 400 (electronic components) having a coil winding are mounted on the mounting seats 213. That is, the relays 400 are provided separated from the side wall 22 of the upper case 20. Note that, for convenience, the relays 400 are not shown in Figure 3.

[0035] Furthermore, multiple outer ribs 24 are provided protruding from the outer surface 211 of the ceiling wall 21. The outer ribs 24 include a first outer rib 24a to prevent warping due to gravity and a second outer rib 24b to prevent warping due to differences in thermal expansion (see Figure 3).

[0036] The first outer rib 24a has a triangular plate shape and is mainly provided on the edge of the ceiling wall 21. That is, the vertical dimension of each first outer rib 24a decreases as it moves from the center of the ceiling wall 21 closer to the edge. As described above, the first outer rib 24a suppresses warping of the ceiling wall 21 caused by the weight of the relay 400 (see Figures 1 and 2) mounted in the center.

[0037] The second outer rib 24b is plate-shaped and is provided at the end of the ceiling wall 21 in the longitudinal direction. For convenience, this embodiment will be described using the example where the second outer rib 24b is provided at only one end of the ceiling wall 21, but it is not limited to this and may be provided at both ends.

[0038] Furthermore, the upper case 20 is provided with fastening portions 23, 23A at both ends and in the middle of its length for attaching the housing 50 (electrical connection box 100) to the object.

[0039] In the upper case 20, as described above, fastening portions 23 are provided at both corners in the width direction of one end in the longitudinal direction, where one corner is cut out in a stepped manner, and also at both corners in the width direction of the other end opposite to the aforementioned end. In addition, a fastening portion 23A (mounting portion) is provided in the middle part in the width direction of the other end of the upper case 20. That is, the fastening portion 23A is provided in the middle part in the extension direction (width direction) of the side wall 22A relating to the other end, and is located near the side wall 22A.

[0040] Furthermore, in the upper case 20, three fastening portions 23 are arranged in parallel in the width direction in the middle portion in the length direction. Of these three fastening portions 23, the fastening portion 23 provided in the middle portion in the width direction (hereinafter referred to as the central fastening portion 23) is fitted into the through-cylinder 34 of the lower case 30. The lower end of the central fastening portion 23 protrudes slightly beyond the lower end of the through-cylinder 34, and the lower end surface of the central fastening portion 23 is exposed to the outside. Also, as described above, the other fastening portions 23 are located inside the recesses 32a and 32b of the lower case 30.

[0041] Each fastening portion 23 is provided protruding from the inner surface 214 of the ceiling wall 21 facing the bottom wall 31 (see Figures 5 and 6). In addition, the fastening portions 23, 23A other than the central fastening portion 23 are provided near the side wall 22 (see Figure 2A). Furthermore, multiple inner ribs 25 are provided protruding from the inner surface 214 of the ceiling wall 21 (see Figures 5 and 6). The multiple inner ribs 25 are plate-shaped.

[0042] Each fastening portion 23, 23A (hereinafter also simply referred to as fastening portion 23) is made of resin and has a bottomed cylindrical shape, with the ceiling wall 21 side open. In addition, a fixing through hole 231 is formed at the bottom of each fastening portion 23, which is used when attaching the housing 50 to the object (see Figure 4). The housing 50 (electrical connection box 100) can be attached to the object by inserting a screw (not shown) through the fixing through hole 231 of the fastening portion 23 from the object and screwing it into a nut (not shown) provided inside the fastening portion 23.

[0043] Furthermore, the upper case 20 is provided with a reinforced section 26. The reinforced section 26 partially strengthens the upper case 20 and suppresses vibration of the relay 400 due to vibrations of the vehicle to which the electrical connection box 100 is attached. The reinforced section 26 is provided in the center of the side wall 22A in the direction of extension.

[0044] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the electrical junction box 100 according to the embodiment, inverted vertically, and Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Figure 4. In the following explanation, for the sake of clarity, we will use as an example the case in which the reinforced section 26 is provided only in the middle portion in the extension direction (width direction) of the side wall 22A at the other end of the upper case 20, but the explanation is not limited to this.

[0045] The reinforced section 26 is provided near the side wall 22A. Specifically, the reinforced section 26 extends from the center of the side wall 22A to the vicinity of the mounting position of the relay 400 (see the dashed line in Figure 4).

[0046] The reinforced section 26 is located inward from the side wall 22A and has a plate-shaped inner wall 261 that curves outward toward the relay 400. In other words, the inner wall 261 is provided on the inner surface of the side wall 22A, and in plan view it has a roughly U-shape, with the distance from the side wall 22A increasing as it moves away from each end; it is a curved plate shape. The dimensions of the inner wall 261 in the vertical direction are greater than those of the side wall 22A. The inner wall 261 is provided so as to face the inner surface of the side wall 22A.

[0047] Furthermore, ribs 262 are provided in the upper case 20 between the inner wall 261 and the side wall 22A, that is, in the portion surrounded by the inner wall 261 and the side wall 22A. The ribs 262 are, for example, lattice-shaped.

[0048] Furthermore, in the reinforced section 26, the portion surrounded by the inner wall 261 and the side wall 22A is provided with the fastening portion 23A described above. The fastening portion 23A is located near the side wall 22A. The shape of the fastening portion 23A has already been described, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0049] Incidentally, vehicles vibrate while in motion, and the electrical junction box 100 attached to such a vehicle vibrates simultaneously with this vibration. This vibration of the electrical junction box 100 can cause the screw connection between the electrical junction box 100 and the vehicle to loosen.

[0050] Furthermore, as described above, the relay 400 provided in the electrical junction box 100 is located away from the side wall 22 of the upper case 20, and is positioned approximately in the center of the outer surface 211 of the ceiling wall 21 for convenience of replacement and other work, as well as ease of circuit configuration. In other words, the relay 400 is positioned in the central part of the plate material (ceiling wall 21), which is the most susceptible to vertical deformation. Moreover, since the relay 400 has a coil winding, it is heavier and more susceptible to vibration than other electronic components.

[0051] In other words, the relay 400 vibrates in conjunction with the vibration of the electrical junction box 100, causing further vibration in the electrical junction box 100. Therefore, the vibration of the relay 400 increases the amount of vibration in the electrical junction box 100, further loosening the screw connection between the electrical junction box 100 and the vehicle, and thus needs to be suppressed.

[0052] In the electrical junction box 100 of this embodiment, as described above, a strength-reinforcement section 26 is provided on the side wall 22A. The strength-reinforcement section 26 is provided in the middle of the extension direction of the side wall 22A, which is easily deflected in the thickness direction, and a rib 262 is formed in the range from the side wall 22A to the vicinity of the relay 400. The vibration direction of the relay 400, i.e., the vertical direction, is perpendicular to the thickness direction in the side wall 22A, and the side wall 22A is not easily deformed in the vertical direction. As described above, the strength of the ceiling wall 21 is strengthened by the reinforcement section 26, and vibration of the relay 400 is suppressed.

[0053] Furthermore, in the electrical junction box 100 of this embodiment, as described above, the reinforced section 26 has an inner wall 261, which faces the inner surface of the side wall 22A and protrudes toward the relay 400. Therefore, although the inner wall 261 is difficult to deform in the vertical direction, similar to the side wall 22A, it protrudes (curves) toward the relay 400 and its vertical dimension is greater than that of the side wall 22A, so it is more difficult to deform in the vertical direction than the side wall 22A. Consequently, the reinforced section 26 can more effectively suppress vibrations of the relay 400.

[0054] Furthermore, in the electrical junction box 100 of this embodiment, as described above, the lower case 30 has a curved portion 331 in the part corresponding to the inner wall 261 of the reinforced portion 26. The curved portion 331 is recessed toward the relay 400 side, following the shape of the inner wall 261, and is in contact with the inner wall 261 from the inside. Like the inner wall 261, the curved portion 331 is oriented perpendicular to the thickness direction in the vertical direction and is curved toward the relay 400 side, making it difficult to deform in the vertical direction. Therefore, in the electrical junction box 100 of this embodiment, vibration of the relay 400 is suppressed even more effectively.

[0055] Furthermore, in the electrical connection box 100 of this embodiment, as described above, a fastening portion 23A is provided within the reinforced portion 26. Since the fastening portion 23A is fixed to the object by screwing, it is difficult for it to deform in the vertical direction. Therefore, the reinforced portion 26 can reliably suppress vibrations of the relay 400.

[0056] In the above explanation, the case in which the strength-reinforced portion 26 is provided only in one place in the center of the side wall 22A has been used as an example, but the explanation is not limited to this. For example, the strength-reinforced portion 26 may be provided in the center of two opposing portions in the longitudinal direction of the side wall 22, or in the center of two opposing portions in the width direction of the side wall 22. Alternatively, the strength-reinforced portion 26 may be provided in the center of two opposing portions in the longitudinal direction of the side wall 22, and in the center of two opposing portions in the width direction of the side wall 22.

[0057] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims, not in the sense described above, and all modifications within the sense and scope equivalent to the claims are intended.

[0058] The matters described in each embodiment can be combined with each other. Furthermore, the independent and dependent claims described in the claims can be combined with each other in any combination, regardless of the form of reference. In addition, the claims use a form in which claims referencing two or more other claims (multi-claim form), but are not limited to this. A form in which multi-claims referencing at least one multi-claim (multi-multi-claim) may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 20 Upper Case (First Case) 21 Ceiling and wall (one wall) 22,33,22A side wall 23 Fastening section 23A Fastening part (mounting part) 24 Outer Ribs 24a First outer rib 24b Second outer rib 25 Inner Rib 26 Strength reinforcement part 27 Open area 30 Lower Case (Second Case) 31 Bottom wall 32a Recess 32b Recess 34 Penetration tube 36 Open area 50 cabinets 100 Electrical junction box 200 Battery Pack 211 External surface 212 Connection part 213 Mounting Seat 214 Inner surface 231 Fixed through hole 261 Interior wall 262 Rib 311 Rib 312 Inner surface 313 External surface 331 Curved section 400 relays

Claims

1. An electrical junction box comprising a housing and an electronic component provided on a wall adjacent to the side wall of the housing, separated from the side wall, An electrical connection box in which a reinforced section is provided from the center of the side wall to the vicinity of the electronic component.

2. The housing includes a first case having the side wall and the one wall, The aforementioned strength-reinforced section is The first case is provided, The electrical connection box according to claim 1, further comprising an inner wall provided on the inside of the side wall and curved convex toward the electronic component side, and a rib provided between the inner wall and the side wall.

3. The housing includes a second case that closes the opening of the first case, which is formed opposite the wall. The electrical connection box according to claim 2, wherein the side wall of the second case has a curved portion corresponding to the inner wall.

4. The electrical connection box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reinforced strength portion has a mounting portion used for attachment to an object.

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